SANILAC COUNTY LAKESHORE WATERSHED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN DECEMBER 2003 PROJECT NO. G02428 FISHBECK, THOMPSON, CARR & HUBER, INC. Engineers Scientists Architects 1515 Arboretum Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Telephone: 616-575-3824 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...............................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 - DESCRIPTION OF WATERSHED ........................................................................................5 1.0 Overview .........................................................................................................................................5 1.1 Location and Size ...........................................................................................................................5 1.2 Topography.....................................................................................................................................6 1.3 Soils ................................................................................................................................................6 1.3.1 Hydrologic Soil Groups............................................................................................................7 1.3.2 Prime Farmland Soils ..............................................................................................................8 1.3.3 Suitability for Septic Systems ..................................................................................................8 1.4 Hydrology........................................................................................................................................9 1.4.1 Surface Water..........................................................................................................................9 1.4.2 Groundwater ..........................................................................................................................10 1.4.3 Wetlands................................................................................................................................11 1.5 County Drains and Road Ditches..................................................................................................11 1.6 Climate..........................................................................................................................................12 1.7 Natural Resources ........................................................................................................................12 1.7.1 Vegetation..............................................................................................................................12 1.7.2 Michigan Natural Features Inventory.....................................................................................13 1.7.3 Water Resources ...................................................................................................................14 1.7.4 Beaches.................................................................................................................................14 1.8 Land Use.......................................................................................................................................15 1.8.1 Agriculture..............................................................................................................................15 1.8.2 Residential .............................................................................................................................15 1.8.3 Commercial............................................................................................................................16 1.8.4 Wildlife Habitat.......................................................................................................................16 1.8.5 Land Use Trends ...................................................................................................................16 CHAPTER 2 - POLITICAL LANDSCAPE....................................................................................................18 2.0 Demographics...............................................................................................................................18 2.1 Community Profiles.......................................................................................................................20 2.1.1 Phase II Communities............................................................................................................20 2.1.2 Employment...........................................................................................................................22 2.2 Schools .........................................................................................................................................23 2.3 Officials .........................................................................................................................................24 CHAPTER 3 - WATER QUALITY................................................................................................................26 3.0 Water Quality Studies ...................................................................................................................26 3.1 Point Source Pollution...................................................................................................................32 3.2 Nonpoint Source Pollution Inventory ............................................................................................32 3.3 Designated Uses...........................................................................................................................37 3.4 Desired Uses.................................................................................................................................44 3.5 Impairments to Designated and Desired Uses .............................................................................45 3.6 Goals and Objectives....................................................................................................................48 3.7 Water Quality Summary................................................................................................................51 CHAPTER 4 - IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ........................................................................................60 4.1 Critical Areas.................................................................................................................................60 4.2 Description of Critical Areas..........................................................................................................60 4.2.1 Agricultural E. coli Critical Areas ...........................................................................................60 4.2.2 Residential E. coli Critical Areas............................................................................................61 4.2.3 Critical Agricultural Headwaters ............................................................................................61 4.2.4 Coastal Zone/Development Critical Areas.............................................................................62 4.2.5 Preservation Critical Areas ....................................................................................................62 4.3 Best Management Practice Recommendations............................................................................62 J:\GDOC02\R02428\WMP\NARRATIVE.DOC i TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.3.1 Best Management Practices for Agricultural E. coli Areas ....................................................69 4.3.2 Best Management Practices for Residential E. coli Areas ....................................................72 4.3.3 Best Management Practices for Critical Agricultural Headwaters.........................................74 4.3.4 Best Management Practices for Coastal Zone / Development Critical Areas .......................79 4.3.5 Best Management Practices for Preservation Areas.............................................................80 4.4 Implementing Best Management Practices ..................................................................................81 CHAPTER 5 - information and education strategy......................................................................................92 5.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................92 5.1 Public Participation Process .........................................................................................................92 5.2 Goal of the Information and Education Strategy...........................................................................93 5.3 Watershed Logo............................................................................................................................94 5.4 Information and Education Action Plan.........................................................................................94 5.4.1 Information and Education Delivery Methods........................................................................95 5.4.2 Develop Partnerships ............................................................................................................95 5.4.3 Identify Target Audiences......................................................................................................96 5.4.4 Develop Messages ................................................................................................................97 5.5 Schedule